Sparta Wants To Continue Contracting Sewer Pump Cleaners

The city of Sparta wants to add sewer pump cleaning contracts to its next budget after a company successfully cleared all stations.

The public works department paid $8,000 for a contractor this week. Director Dillard Quick said that is worth the price considering the equipment needed.

“The reason we had the contractor come in the truck that they are using is about $500,000,” Quick said. “They have cleaned out about eight of our pump stations. Two of our main pump stations. We have seen an increase in flow from 300 gallons a minute to over 500 gallons a minute.”

Quick said clearing the pumps increases longevity and decreases electricity costs. Quick said he recommends that the work took place about every five years. After hearing the benefits, Alderman Jerry Lowery said a small amount of money should be allocated each year to clean stations when the time comes.

“Just put a note Brad (Hennessee) and Dillard to look to add that cost into the budget when we look at it next year,” Lowery said. “That way even if it is every four or five years or whenever that we don’t have a big hit.”

According to Quick, city pumps have not been cleared for at least six years. Quick said he would like the company to clean the stations one more time for this fiscal year.

“What’s happened is the amount of disposables and stuff that has been going into the pump stations,” Quick said. “That gets clogged up around those pumps, and the water has to go through that. Those are grinder pumps. So, the water doesn’t go through there like it should, and that is what those guys have been cleaning.”

Quick said increments of cleaning can differ depending on volume of use.